Ten 'SNL' Alums Who Went On To Fame

Conan O'Brien

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

Conan O'Brien was a writer on SNL from 1987 to 1991, before leaving the show to write for "The Simpsons." After hosting numerous late night television shows, O'Brien was given his own show on TBS, simply entitled "Conan."

Conan O'Brien was a writer on SNL from 1987 to 1991, before leaving the show to write for "The Simpsons." After hosting numerous late night television shows, O'Brien was given his own show on TBS, simply entitled "Conan." (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

Robert Downey Jr. performed a short stint on SNL, where his uncle Jim Downey, worked for 27 seasons. Downey was one of the youngest performers on SNL, beginning his short stint at the company in 1985, at age 20. Downey left the show in 1986, after a cast overhaul. Downey is most recently known for his work as the lead star in Marvel's "Ironman" series.

Robert Downey Jr. performed a short stint on SNL, where his uncle Jim Downey, worked for 27 seasons. Downey was one of the youngest performers on SNL, beginning his short stint at the company in 1985, at age 20. Downey left the show in 1986, after a cast overhaul. Downey is most recently known for his work as the lead star in Marvel's "Ironman" series. (GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP/Getty Images)

Certain comedians are known almost exclusively by their stints on NBC's Emmy Award-winning show "Saturday Night Live". But other former cast members and writers of the show may come as a surprise to many viewers. Some were rarely on air, while others stayed on for such a short time that they were soon forgotten.